A Beginner’s Guide To Different Yoga Styles

Taking regular yoga classes can be extremely beneficial to your mind and body. Yoga has been shown to lower blood pressure, increase strength and bone density, and reduce anxiety among men and women. Regardless if you’re a beginner yogi or you’ve been practicing yoga for years, there are yoga classes available that can suit all body types and sizes. In this blog, we’ll look at some different styles of yoga so you have an idea of what each class has to offer.

Hatha Yoga

If you’re brand new to yoga, a hatha yoga class may be a great option for you. A very popular yoga choice in today’s fitness community, this style of yoga dates all the way back to the 15th century. Back in these days, hatha yoga was used to prepare participants for long meditation sessions. Hatha yoga is often referred to as a “dual” type of yoga because it includes a duality between two opposites: the sun (in Hinda, known as “ha”) and the moon (in Hinda, known as “tha”).

Hatha yoga classes use breath to create a link between the body and the mind. These classes can help you build flexibility and strength, while also minimizing your risk of injury. Hatha yoga stems from a deep understanding of the mechanics of the body, using yogic postures to change the way you think, feel, and experience life.

Vinyassa Yoga

Vinyassa yoga, also known as flow yoga, is a type of yoga that was originally derived from hatha yoga. While this type of yoga is often conducted at a faster pace than hatha yoga, the assanas, or postures, are linked together with a series of movements that are synchronized with your breath. As you go through the motions of your assanas, there is much emphasis placed on the breath as you transition from one posture to the next. Many people prefer this style of yoga because it offers cardiovascular benefits, which some forms of traditional yoga do not. By incorporating vinyassa yoga into your fitness routine, you can increase your muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility, all while reducing levels of stress.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a unique blend of Bhakti yoga (the yogic practice of devotion and chanting), Raja yoga (the practice of meditation and mental and physical control), and Shakti yoga (an expression of power and energy). A well-taught kundalini yoga class can leave you feeling like you’ve had a session of therapy and a stellar workout at the gym. The main purpose of this style of yoga is to provide modality by which people can achieve their maximum creative potential.

To understand how kundalini works, you first have to understand that you have a snake in your spine. The Sanskrit word for kundal translates to “circular,” and it can also be interpreted for a coiled snake. All in all, the term kundalini means, “a spiritual energy or life force located at the base of the spine.” A common technique you will find in a kundalini yoga class is known as nostril breathing. This simple breathing technique is taught as a way to help cleanse the nadis, or the subtle channels and pathways, that help to awaken kundalini energy.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, which are the opposite and complementary principles in nature. Yin is known to be stable and unmoving, while yang is known to change and transform over time. In the body, stiff connective tissues (such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia), represent yin, while the more mobile and pliable muscles are known as yang. A yin yoga class normally consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses that are used to work the lower parts of the body including the hips, pelvis, lower spine, and inner thighs. These areas of the body are especially rich in connective tissues.

Anusara Yoga

This style of yoga was developed by an American yogi by the name of John Friend in 1997. While anusara yoga is a newcomer among the older styles of yoga, it has still become a popular option new and experienced yogis alike. Anusara seeks to use the physical practice of yoga to help students open their hearts and experience grace, letting their inner goodness shine through.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga is based on ancient yoga teachings, but was popularized and brought to the west by K. Pattabhi Jois in the 1970s. This rigorous style of yoga features a specific series of sequences and postures that are similar to vinyassa yoga, as each movement is linked to breath.

We hope this article helped you to understand the different styles of yoga, so you can choose the best yoga class for you. If you live near Virginia Beach and you’re looking for a yoga studio, be sure to stop by Collective Yoga today. We offer an array of yoga classes for new and experienced yogis, and we would love to help you discover all of the benefits yoga has to offer.